Watch: Napoli's Meret makes huge penalty save on Giroud
Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret triggered wild celebrations at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium after stopping Olivier Giroud’s penalty in Tuesday’s Champions League decider.
With Napoli trailing on aggregate after a first-leg defeat, Meret helped the dominant hosts avoid further damage early on in the quarterfinal affair after diving to his left to push Giroud’s effort aside in the 23rd minute.
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ALEX MERET COMES UP CLUTCH TO DENY OLIVIER GIROUD. ? pic.twitter.com/gMpY2OOUxF
— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 18, 2023
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OLIVIER GIROUD MISSES HIS FIRST EVER PENALTY IN THE #UCL ? pic.twitter.com/aofYquRnuz
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) April 18, 2023
Milan, however, went on to find a breakthrough. Despite facing a continued onslaught of pressure from Napoli, Giroud made up for the penalty miss by extending Milan’s aggregate lead to 2-0 after finishing off a play that started with an inspiring run from teammate Rafael Leao.
Napoli star Victor Osimhen scored late in the contest, but it was too late as Milan held on to win the quarterfinal affair 2-1 on aggregate.
